Quarto and Happy Yak secure four-book deal with author Gray

Happy Yak, an imprint of The Quarto Group, has secured a four-book deal with "picture book powerhouse" Kes Gray. 

Associate publisher Rhiannon Findlay acquired world rights from Anne McNeil of Anne McNeil Creative Limited. A mix of picture books from the Oi Frog and Friends author will be published throughout 2024 and 2025. 

Findlay said: “I honestly could not think of a better fit for Happy Yak than Kes Gray. His humour and vitality is synonymous with our imprint, and I’m thrilled to give him a home on our list. We look forward to building a dynamic and longstanding publishing programme with Kes.”

Gray is the author of Daisy: Eat Your Peas, illustrated by Nick Sharratt (Red Fox Picture Books), and spin off chapter book series Daisy Trouble (Red Fox Picture Books). With more than 100 published stories, Oi Frog and Friends, illustrated by Jim Field (Hodder Children’s Books) is Gray’s most recent picture book franchise. 

He said: “I’d like my books to be a joy ride for all kinds of readers all over the world and am really looking forward to revving up with Happy Yak!”